By BARBARA PROFFITT | July 12, 2023

The USD 346 School Board met on Monday, July 10 and began with the approval of the consent agenda, including the minutes of the last meeting and payment of bills and payroll.

Superintendent Shawn Thomas reported that the budget is nearly finished.

Thomas then told the board that the district had received a memorial donation from Delma Colegrove to their FFA and Music programs and noted his appreciation of funds.

Thomas reported that with several of the district HVAC units aging, he had asked a company to give an estimate of what it would cost to outfit both campuses with a new computer controlled system. That cost came in at $1.2 million and Thomas stated he was planning to meet with the bond agent and hopes to have solid numbers for the August meeting on possibly replacing that system.

The board entered into a 10-minute executive session for personnel matters. 

Following that executive session the board agreed to hire Dustin Johnson as JLHS custodian and approved the 2023-2024 extra duty list as presented. 

The board then entered into a 20-minute executive session to discuss the negotiated agreement under the exception for employer-employee negotiations under KOMA. That session was extended by ten minutes.

Following the executive session a motion was made and carried to ratify the negotiated agreement for 2023-2024.

A motion was made to approve a three percent increase in salary and benefits for administrators and district office employees. That motion carried on a 6-0 vote.

A motion was made to approve a $1 per hour increase for classified employees and the motion carried on a 6-0 vote.